How is it that the phial of Galadriel is suppressed at the entrance to the Sammath Naur?
“In his great need he drew out once more the phial of Galadriel, but it was pale and cold in his trembling hand and threw no light into that stifling dark. He was come to the heart of the realm of Sauron and the forges of his ancient might, greatest in Middle-earth; all other powers were here subdued”
It has never sat quite right with me, please help me understand. The phial contains the light of Eärendil’s star, a Silmaril, in which was enshrined the last remnant of the light of the Two Trees. This is deeply potent stuff, an ancient and holy light. How can a spell of darkness suppress it, Maiar though Sauron might be?
Is Sauron far more powerful than I am giving him credit for? Is the light contained inside the vial just an echo, too many steps removed from the trees? Is darkness more capable of devouring than light is at illuminating?